FLAME DEFLECTOR FOR A WATER HEATER PILOT BURNER

摘要

A gas-fired water heater includes a pilot assembly that provides a pilot flame deflector. The pilot flame deflector causes the pilot flame to surround a hot junctions end of a thermopile. The flame deflector does not cover a cold junctions end of the thermopile, such that the cold junctions are ventilated. A temperature differential between the hot and cold junctions is increase by ventilating the cold junctions and surrounding the hot junctions with the pilot flame. The temperature differential is further increased by radiant and convective heat applied to the hot junctions as a result of the flame deflector.